Rotunda
Kings Place, 90 York Way, Kings Cross, London N1 9AG
Telephone: 020 7014 2840
The Kings Cross area over the last few years has undergone a significant overhaul with considerable development around the two stations, and with the arrival of the Eurostar has turned the run down areas into up-to-date trendy developments. These new developments sit side by side by some of London’s more closely guarded secrets, one of these being the Regents Canal, which snakes its way across London providing a peaceful haven often hidden by the surrounding buildings. Today it is well-loved by boaters, walkers and cyclists all looking to escape the capital’s busy streets, and it provides a number of marvellous locations for restaurants and bars, and Rotunda has picked one of the best. Nestling below an ultra-modern art gallery and office block, Rotunda overlooks the tranquil canal and one of a number of canal basins full of colourful narrow boats, and has a bustling bar, private rooms and a circular dining room, as well as a lovely outside area for when the sun shines. The décor in the restaurant is smart and functional and the tables are arranged so the maximum number of people get the view out onto the canal, but when the weather permits it is best to relax on the waterside terrace. This terrace spans the entire length of Rotunda on the edge of the Regent’s Canal, and this summer you can visit ‘The Waterside Garden’. Here Rotunda has partnered with Champagne house Perrier-Jouët, local charity Global Generation, and sculpture gallery Pangolin London, to create a beautiful garden on their canal side terrace. Here you can grab a deck chair and with a glass of Perrier-Jouët Champagne in hand, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy the summer and watch the comings and goings on the canal.
Rotunda has a wide range of starters and you can even enjoy a tapas combination of 5 dishes from the bites and nibbles selection (£21.95) if you feel hungry, but my eye was caught by a Chilled Pea Soup with Mint Crème Fraiche (£6.50) and my wife’s by the Pan Fried Scallops, wilted spinach, Champagne veloute and aruga caviar (£12.50). My soup was fresh and crisp with just enough mint to add to the flavour rather than overpower the fresh pea. The meaty scallops were cooked perfectly and were smothered with a rich and creamy champagne veloutè and a generous portion of caviar.
What sets Rotunda apart from many is that it has its own farm in Northumberland where all of the beef and lamb that they sell comes from. The animals are hand reared and hung for 32 days onsite, and butchered by their own butcher. Because the meat is hand reared and hung for so long, the meat is tender and less bloody, and they hold special events to taste the produce. Tempted by this my wife chose a medium rare Pan Seared Flat Iron Steak (£17.50) which was cut into lovely pinky strips and accompanied with a marinated Isle of Wight heritage tomato and watercress salad. I however, was tempted by the Pan Fried Scottish Salmon in Champagne cream sauce and seashore vegetables (£17.95) and was rewarded by moist salmon encased in a crisp skin all bathed in a rich creamy sauce, perfect in every way. To accompany our mains we opted for the truffle macaroni cheese for two (£6.95), and frankly I wished it was just for one, as the creamy cheddar and parmesan cheese sauce infused with just enough truffle oil, was truly special.
Desserts are extensive and challenged us as we just couldn’t decide, but eventually we agreed to share the Chocolate and Banana Cake, Caramel, Pecans and Popcorn (£6.50) and the Tart of the Day, which was Banoffee, with Cornish clotted cream (£5.95). The tastes and mix of textures were varied and rounded off a good meal.
The wine list here will cater for all tastes, and satisfies those looking for an accompaniment to their meal or those having a drink after work, and start from £19.50, which is almost as refreshing as the wine itself!
Rotunda is the perfect place to relax after a busy day, and whether you just want a refined drink or a meal, Rotunda caters for you perfectly, and I can’t wait for the better weather to use the terrace and enjoy again this little oasis right in the heart of London.